After they said goodbye to the other Band of de Sun members, the journey to Hollowfield village began. Kain, Eran, and Taneaya spurred their horses to leave the camp.
The route of their journey was through a dense, lush forest, then through the border between kingdoms separated by a river. After a day of entering the dark and winding forest, they finally arrived at the bank of the Tossing Rill River. They quickly set up a small campfire, which became a source of light and warmth in the middle of the cold night. That night, the atmosphere on the banks of the Tossing Rill River was calm. All the team members sat around the campfire, enjoying the warmth and comfort it provided.
Eran, Kain, and Taneaya could be seen gathering and chatting there. Kain, with a big smile on his face, taunted Taneaya with his trademark joke. "You two are always fighting, it's like you can't live without arguing."
Taneaya snorted, returning Kain's joke with a haughty attitude. "Eran is a master at being annoying, it's hard to stay calm around him."
Eran just smiled with a shrug. "Whatever, that's my charm," Eran said with a laugh. Taneaya looked annoyed.
"Eran, do you remember when we fought three pirates at once in the middle of this forest? That was a great moment!" Kain said with a hearty laugh.
Eran smiled, recalling that moment. "Yes, it was a great challenge. But thanks to our cooperation, we managed to overcome it well."
Taneaya continued, "And remember when we managed to infiltrate the city of Blanchill disguised as servants? I never thought we could do that!"
"I don't remember us ever going on a mission like that," Eran said. "I don't remember it either," Kain continued.
Taneaya glared at that. "You're the same Cain!" Taneaya shouted in annoyance.
"Sorry...sorry I was just trying to tease you Taneaya," said Kain.
"You intentionally upset her, look at her face."
"You teased her first, I was just trying. I emphasize once again, I was just trying," Kain denied.
"Why are you guys fighting!" screeched Taneaya in annoyance.
"Never mind, there's no need to continue," Eran said with a laugh.
The air was getting colder, the night was getting darker. The sound of running water was heard gurgling.
"It doesn't feel like we've been standing together in our band for this long. I've gotten so much out of being with you, even the insignificant things are fun," Kain explained.
Taneaya nodded in agreement. Then Kain asked Eran, "Do you also feel it, Eran?" Kain asked curiously, Eran was a little surprised to hear Kain's sudden question. Taneaya glanced at him curiously.
Eran was silent for a moment, his eyes looking at the fire that was swaying in front of him. He couldn't describe his feelings. But while in the band he had friends, something Eran had longed for. Even Eran felt a sense of peace, he considered the Band of de Sun a second family to him.
"Warm," Eran said almost inaudibly.
"Is that all?" Taneaya immediately pounced with a question, her unsatisfied expression evident.
Kain, who had been watching the look on Eran's face, seemed to understand, then immediately turned his attention away.
"We complement each other, don't we? Each team member has different strengths and skills, but when we come together, we're truly invincible." Kain said.
Taneaya nodded in agreement, "That's so true. We've been a family since we joined the Band of de Sun. No one can fathom our bond being so strong."
They all nodded and smiled, feeling the togetherness and friendship between them.
That night, on the banks of the Tossing Rill River, the campfire continued to burn. They knew that more adventures lay ahead, but they felt confident that with their togetherness and friendship, there was nothing they could not conquer.
Their journey continued the next day to the village of Brinetide, where they planned to spend the night before continuing to the village of Hollowfield.
Using the map as a guide and their knowledge of the surrounding area, Kain as the group leader chose the best path to cross the sloping mountains filled with large and sparse rocks. The late afternoon sunlight shining into the sky provided a beautiful setting amongst the towering peaks of the mountains. "We have to be careful when crossing this section, the large rocks could make it difficult for our horses," Eran said, looking at the path ahead of them.
Kain, who had long been accustomed to this kind of rough terrain, nimbly steered his horse between the rocks and occasionally gave Taneaya and Eran pointers on the best path. "Don't worry, we'll get through this section safely. Trust me," Kain said, trying to encourage his comrades.
After passing through the mountains, they traveled through a vast swamp. The sky was dark and overcast, and the rain began to fall heavily. Their pace slowed as the path became muddy and slippery from the heavy rain. Taneaya, who was usually energetic and strong, seemed to be struggling with fatigue. "Let's keep going, we've almost reached the end of the swamp," Eran said excitedly.
After passing the challenge of the swamp, their journey crossed a vast grassland. The sky was clear again, and a gentle breeze hit their faces. The endless grasslands gave them a feeling of freedom and spaciousness, but they were still wary of the possibility of unforeseen dangers.
As night fell, they decided to camp at the edge of the meadow. They lit a small campfire to warm their bodies from the cold night air. Around the fire, they chatted and shared stories about their journey so far.
Their journey resumed the next day. They walked across the grasslands again, and the morning sun shining on their faces gave them renewed vigor to complete this rescue mission. The village of Brinetide was getting closer, and coming into view.
After days of traveling, they finally arrived at Brinetide Village.
Upon entering the village they were greeted by a rundown and muddy landscape, and the people's gazes were unfriendly. Brinetide Village looked very underdeveloped and poor. Taneaya, who is a member of the Heirs of de Wind family, felt disappointed and ashamed because this village was part of her family's responsibility.
"Why is this village in such a state? What's going on here?" muttered Taneaya to herself, feeling concerned about the condition of the village.
They immediately looked for an inn to spend the night. After renting two rooms, they went to a local tavern to have dinner and relax. There, they sat together while enjoying their meals and drinks. At that time, the atmosphere in the tavern was boisterous with the sound of the visitors' conversations.
While eating, the three of them, Eran, Kain, and Taneaya, chatted casually about their journey and the mission they had undertaken. However, amid the excitement, Taneaya overheard some of the visitors talking about their hatred towards the government of the Satascar Kingdom.
Taneaya heard the words faintly, but it was enough to leave her devastated and saddened. For Taneaya, the government of the Satascar Kingdom was no stranger, as all her siblings were involved in it. But hearing people's hatred for the kingdom made her heart feel heavy.
"Can they understand how difficult it is to run a kingdom? Haven't we, the Heirs of de Wind, also tried to help and maintain justice?" Taneaya muttered to herself, trying to suppress her feelings of disappointment and sadness.
*****